CHULA VISTA 
The Southwestern College governing board has voted unanimously to pursue litigation against three firms named in the district attorney’s investigation into South County contracts and bidding.

The board asked its attorneys April 11 to begin the necessary legal steps for recovering payments from companies awarded contracts under a previous administration.

The three firms — Echo Pacific Construction, BCA Architects Inc., and Seville Construction Services — are named in various affidavits connected to criminal charges that San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has filed against current and former officials of Sweetwater and Southwestern schools.

Dumanis and her public integrity team say millions of dollars of government contracts were awarded under a pay-to-play culture, after decision-makers were provided meals and other entertainment by the companies.

The Southwestern contracts are for work approved by voters under a 2008 bond program.

Specifically, the companies were transforming an empty parcel known as the corner lot into a gateway administration building, a project that was the brainchild of BCA Architects’ Paul Bunton.

Bunton pleaded guilty last month to one misdemeanor charge of aiding in the commission of a misdemeanor by paying for meals and entertainment for Southwestern College officials who were employed under a previous administration. Those officials subsequently did not meet their reporting responsibilities, according to Bunton and the DA’s office.

A spokesman for Bunton said the following:

“BCA was in negotiations with the college for money it was owed. The college never questioned the quality of our work, and we’ll have more to say when we get details, but this will not interfere with the outstanding work we do for our clients.”

Seville responded by saying the company attempted to seek a resolution outside of the courtroom.

“Seville Construction Services and Southwestern Community College District legal representatives, after nearly three months of collaboration, achieved a mutual solution to dissolve a contractual relationship. Shockingly, the college board chose to disregard its legal counsel and instead pursue further legal action,” the statement read in part.

Chris Rowe, president of Echo Pacific, said the company “conducts itself to the highest standards of ethical conduct. The company will vigorously fight any false allegations made against it if a lawsuit is filed.

“Since mid-2000, when I was blessed with the opportunity to lead this company, Echo Pacific Construction has worked diligently to establish a reputation for honesty and quality work, while at the same time giving back to the communities where we work.”

In January, the board voted to sever $8.1 million in contracts from Seville and BCA, after terminating Echo’s contract last year.

The bulk of the funds has been spent already.

Seville has been paid $2.3 million of its $2.8 million contract, while BCA Architects has been paid $3.5 million of a $5.3 million contract, according to the latest figures provided by the college.

“We recognize the public interest surrounding this project,” Board President Norma Hernandez said. “We also want to ensure we are fulfilling our duty to properly safeguard public funds in this project.”